Confirm the correct candidacy filing, the type of race, and whether SBWPC is considering that office or measure.
Read the requirements2026 GENERAL ELECTION / Candidate filing closes August 7, 2026Official filing information
Access | Voice | Power
Candidate Corner
One interactive place to explore public service, prepare a campaign, understand exactly what SBWPC requires, follow the complete endorsement process, meet election deadlines, and find trusted local, state, and national candidate resources.
Personalized starting point
What brings you here?
Choose your situation. Your first recommendations will prioritize SBWPC requirements and resources, followed by the appropriate public filing and campaign tools.
Select a path above
Your recommended next actions will appear here.
SBWPC comes first
Four steps before requesting endorsement
Use this sequence after choosing your path. It explains what candidates should review and complete before entering SBWPC's endorsement process.
Review SBWPC's feminist values, position papers, viability considerations, and mentorship expectations.
Review our standardsBe ready to complete the questionnaire, participate in an equitable interview, and provide any requested follow-up.
See what candidates experienceAfter reviewing the process and confirming readiness, open SBWPC's live endorsement request form.
Open the request formGovernment filing and SBWPC endorsement are separate.
Election agencies administer candidacy and campaign-compliance rules. SBWPC independently decides which races to evaluate and whether to endorse, oppose, fund, or make no endorsement.
SBWPC requirements and governing process
SBWPC endorsement requirements and process
SBWPC is a nonpartisan political action committee. It may endorse candidates who support its positions and promote an inclusive feminist agenda. An endorsement request begins a review process; it does not guarantee consideration, an interview, funding, or endorsement.
Demonstrate candidacy
State and local candidates must demonstrate a specific public intention to run. SBWPC's current summary pages instruct candidates to file a California Form 501 with the appropriate filing officer.
Federal candidates
Candidates for the U.S. House or U.S. Senate must have filed a federal Statement of Candidacy, FEC Form 2.
Complete the process
Respond by the stated deadlines, return the initial questionnaire, participate in the approved interview format, and provide requested follow-up information.
Important clarification: SBWPC's full endorsement protocol recognizes public actions such as a campaign announcement, filing Form 501, or publicly beginning fundraising as evidence of intent for state or local office. SBWPC's shorter public summaries state that Form 501 must be filed. To avoid delay or uncertainty, candidates should file Form 501 before requesting consideration or ask the Elections & Appointments Committee to confirm eligibility under the current protocol.
Four race categories
Elections & Appointments creates a preliminary list of races, proposes timelines, forms Candidate Assessment Teams, and presents the list to the Board for review and approval. The list may change as circumstances warrant.
Local districts
May include school boards, special districts in southern Santa Barbara County, and other identified local races.
Major local and legislative races
May include Congress, State Senate, Assembly, County Supervisor, mayor, city council, and countywide offices such as District Attorney or Sheriff.
Re-endorsement
Previously endorsed elected officials seeking the same seat may be considered under the re-endorsement process.
Other statewide or federal candidates
Races of significant interest may be reviewed through research focused on SBWPC goals, position papers, and candidate records.
Ballot measures
SBWPC may consider local measures within southern Santa Barbara County and statewide ballot measures, for support or opposition.
Number of endorsements: SBWPC may endorse no more candidates than the number of seats to be filled. It may endorse fewer, endorse none, endorse in an uncontested race, or oppose a candidate.
Plain-language overview
What candidates experience
Each race follows an impartial, documented review. Timelines may vary by race and election cycle.
Request and eligibility review
SBWPC confirms candidacy status, race category, and whether the race is being considered.
Questionnaire
Eligible candidates receive the same race-specific questionnaire and must return it by the stated deadline.
Candidate interview
Candidates continuing in the process are interviewed using the same approved questions and format.
Review and recommendation
The Candidate Assessment Team documents findings and sends its recommendation through Elections & Appointments.
Board decision and notice
The Board votes at the appropriate meeting. Candidates are notified before results are released publicly.
Participation is not endorsement.
Receiving a questionnaire, completing an interview, attending an endorsement meeting, or being recommended by a CAT does not authorize a candidate to claim SBWPC endorsement. Only formal notice after the Board's decision does.
Standard endorsement criteria
What SBWPC evaluates
The process considers values alignment, the candidate's public record and answers, campaign readiness, potential vulnerabilities, and commitment to feminist values.
SBWPC vision
To achieve a society based upon the feminist values of social, political, and economic gender equality.
SBWPC mission in endorsements
SBWPC endorses women and men who support its positions and promote a feminist agenda, and takes action against discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, or ability.
Values and "deal breaker" issues
Candidates must understand and demonstrate support for gender equality, anti-discrimination, human rights, civil rights, and equal opportunity.
Viability
SBWPC may consider the campaign plan, budget, knowledge of the issues, organization, and a general sense of electability.
Vulnerability
Candidates may be asked candidly about information that could become a campaign vulnerability if publicly known.
Record and responses
The CAT reviews written answers, interview responses, public actions, policy positions, experience, and relevant track record.
Mentorship
Candidates and elected officials may be asked how they will help women develop the knowledge and skills needed for elected or appointed office.
Alignment with position papers
A candidate is not expected to know every paper in advance, but must demonstrate meaningful alignment with SBWPC's core feminist values.
Issue areas reflected in SBWPC position papers
Anti-RacismChildcare & Early Childhood EducationCrimes Against WomenEducational EquityEnvironmentEqual Rights / ERA & CEDAWGender IdentityGun ViolenceHealthcareHousingImmigrationInternational Peace & SecurityReproductive JusticeSexual OrientationWomen in the Workplace
Full organizational protocol
Detailed rules and safeguards
Open each section for the rules that govern CAT composition, candidate treatment, Board voting, confidentiality, re-endorsement, rescission, and conflicts of interest.
Candidate Assessment Team composition and impartiality
- Each CAT consists of 3 or 5 SBWPC members and includes at least one current Board member.
- The CAT leader has prior CAT experience and works with Elections & Appointments on approved questions and procedures.
- CAT members must act impartially, apply the same race-specific process to every candidate, and disclose conflicts before serving.
- Ideally, CAT members live in or understand the geographic area relevant to the race.
Board authority, voting, and confidentiality
- The Board - not an individual CAT member, interviewer, officer, or committee - makes the endorsement decision.
- A candidate must receive two-thirds of eligible Board members present through an approved participation method.
- Voting and vote tallies remain confidential. The public result is support, opposition, or no endorsement.
- All candidates in the race are informed before the result is released to the membership or public.
- Campaign-funding recommendations are considered separately from the endorsement vote.
Conflict-of-interest standards
- A CAT member may not have endorsed, volunteered for, donated to, worked for, or consulted for a candidate in the race.
- A CAT member may not be the candidate's spouse, intimate partner, or family member.
- CAT members, Elections & Appointments leaders, officers, and Board members must self-declare relevant conflicts.
- Before an endorsement decision, participants should avoid conduct that creates the appearance of organizational favoritism.
- Primary and general elections are treated separately under the protocol.
Re-endorsement and rescission
Re-endorsement
- A previously endorsed official seeking the same office may request re-endorsement within the protocol's stated timeframe.
- A re-endorsement CAT generally uses an oral interview and may add written questions when the candidate's record raises a relevant issue.
- A re-endorsement decision may occur at a regular Board meeting and does not have to wait for a Noticed Endorsement Meeting.
Rescission
- SBWPC may rescind an endorsement for due cause during an election cycle.
- The policy addresses significant new factual information involving criminal behavior, serious ethical violations, or immoral conduct.
- Rescission is not intended merely to replace one endorsed candidate with another.
- A rescission requires a two-thirds vote of eligible Board members present through an approved participation method.
Candidate development
SBWPC candidate support
SBWPC supports candidate development through campaign-skills workshops, consultation opportunities, scholarships, membership networks, and A Seat at the Table: A Fund for a Feminist Future.
22August 2026
Run Like a Woman: Money, Media and Message
Learn from campaign professionals, elected leaders, and former candidates. Develop your candidate statement, understand media strategy, and build a realistic fundraising approach.
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.Free for SBWPC members$20 non-membersLight lunch included
Official and SBWPC resources labeled
SBWPC Candidate Support & Resource Center
The library opens with SBWPC's own endorsement, candidate-development, membership, committee, and election resources. Use the source selector to expand into government compliance tools and outside training organizations.
Begin with our organization's resources.
Review SBWPC's requirements and protocol before requesting endorsement. Candidates seeking training or financial assistance should also review A Seat at the Table: A Fund for a Feminist Future.
SBWPC
2026 Election Center
Races, endorsements, voting plan, countdown, and voter deadlines.
Open resource SBWPCSBWPC Candidate Resources & A Fund for a Feminist Future
The central SBWPC destination for campaign-skills workshops, consultation opportunities, scholarships, and feminist candidate support.
Explore FFF support SBWPCCommittees and Candidate Assessment Teams
Learn how members help identify, interview, and evaluate candidates.
Email [email protected] SBWPCFull Endorsement Protocol
The governing rules for race categories, CATs, meetings, voting, values, confidentiality, conflicts, and rescission.
Open protocol SBWPCMembership Benefits
Join SBWPC and participate in Candidate Assessment Teams and candidate training.
Open resource SBWPCRequest an SBWPC Endorsement
Submit your name, contact information, campaign details, and request for questionnaire and interview information.
Open request form Official governmentCalifornia Secretary of State Elections
State election rules, qualifications, guides, and candidate information.
Open resource Official governmentCandidate Filing Portal
County forms and instructions for local candidate filing.
Open resource Official governmentCity of Santa Barbara Elections
Municipal election information and City Clerk contact details.
Open resource Official governmentCounty Key Dates and Events
Official Santa Barbara County timeline for the November 3, 2026 General Election.
Open resource Official governmentFPPC Candidate Toolkit
Campaign finance, reporting, communication, ethics, and post-election duties.
Open resource Official governmentSanta Barbara County Candidate Filing
Candidate filing guides, campaign finance links, maps, and filing portal access.
Open resource Training organizationCenter for American Women and Politics
Research, candidate data, leadership programs, and the Ready to Run nonpartisan training network.
Explore CAWP Training organizationClose the Gap California
Recruitment and preparation for diverse, progressive women considering the California Legislature.
Explore organization Training organizationEmerge California
Long-form candidate training for Democratic women preparing to run for elected office.
Explore training Training organizationNational Women's Political Caucus
National recruitment, training, and support for women seeking elected and appointed office.
Explore NWPC Training organizationReady to Run
Nonpartisan campaign training from the Center for American Women and Politics.
Open resource Training organizationRun for Something
Guides and support for younger progressives exploring or running for local and state office.
Open candidate resources Training organizationVote Run Lead
Campaign training and tools for women and gender-expansive leaders seeking public office.
Explore trainingNo resources match your search. Try a broader term or choose "All sources."
Member participation
Join a Candidate Assessment Team
Candidate Assessment Teams are short-term SBWPC member teams that review candidate materials, conduct consistent interviews, document findings, and recommend endorsement action through Elections & Appointments.
Review candidates fairly and consistently
Review questionnaires, use the same approved interview format, disclose conflicts, protect confidential information, document findings, and participate in recommendations.
Membership is required
Current members who can remain impartial, meet the election timeline, and protect confidentiality may express interest.
Saves on this device
Your candidate roadmap
Use this as a practical launch checklist. Check off completed steps and return later to continue.
Campaign preparation checklist
This is an organizational guide, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the appropriate election official.
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Verify with filing official
November election key dates
Filter the timeline by candidate filing, campaign disclosure, or voting. Add individual deadlines to your calendar.
Regular candidate filing period closes.
First pre-election campaign disclosure deadline.
Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
View all election dates, filters, and calendar downloads
Candidate filing period
Declaration of candidacy and required filing documents.
Candidate statement period for County Voter Information Guides
Candidate statement filing period.
Candidate statement withdrawal deadline
Deadline to withdraw a submitted candidate statement.
Candidate filing extension period
Applies only when legally authorized for the relevant office.
School and special district offices determined on or off ballot
Election officials determine which offices require an election.
Randomized alphabet drawing
Determines the order of candidate names on applicable ballot rotations.
Write-in candidate filing period
Filing period for eligible write-in candidates.
1st pre-election campaign disclosure statement deadline
Campaign reporting deadline. Confirm the correct filing schedule and forms.
2nd pre-election campaign disclosure statement deadline
Campaign reporting deadline. Confirm the correct filing schedule and forms.
Standard voter registration deadline
Last day to register online or by mail before conditional registration.
Election Day
Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Official canvass deadline
Deadline for completion of the official canvass.
Candidate questions
Frequently asked questions
Clear distinctions between official election administration, campaign compliance, and SBWPC's organizational role.
No. Only formal notice after the Board's decision authorizes a candidate to claim SBWPC endorsement.
Use the more cautious requirement and contact Elections & Appointments for confirmation.
Yes. SBWPC may endorse fewer candidates, make no endorsement, endorse in an uncontested race, or oppose a candidate when permitted.
Yes. The protocol permits rescission for due cause and requires a two-thirds Board vote.
Information standards: Candidate Corner labels official government information, SBWPC program or endorsement information, and items requiring verification. Election dates and filing requirements can change or vary by office; confirm with the responsible election official.